Machine for washing fruit.



E. N. MAULL. v

MACHINE FOB. WASHING FRUIT. APPLICATION riLEn NOV. 7, 1913.

Patented June 23, 19m

4 SHEET8SHEET 1.

E. N. MAULL.

MACHINE FOR WASHING FRUIT. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 7 1913v 1 1 00 9 1Patented June 23, 19M

4 SHEETS SHEET 2.

amaim alumnu Patented June 23, 1914.

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E N. MAULL. MACHINE FOR. WASHING FRUIT.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 7, 1913.

1,100,981, Patented June 23, 19m

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Qvwewtoz l/VH/neoow 1 57 $77 J8 qi Ldwardjlfm ED WA QQJ/W abbomu gEDWARD N. MAULL, 0F JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, ASSIGNOR T6 3'. P. CAMPBELL,OF JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA.

MACHINE non WASHING FRUIT.

Specification of Letters lPatent. I I Patented June 23, 1914,

Application filed November 7, 1913. Serial No. 799,685.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD N. MAULL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Jacksonville, in the county of Duval and State of Florida,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for\Vashing Fruit, of whichthe following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in machinesfor washing fruit, and one object of my invention is to provide amachine of this character which will handle the fruit without injury,thoroughly wash and scrub all parts of the fruit and feed the samethrough the machine automatically and expeditiously.

A further object is to provide a machine in which the fruit iscontinuously washed with fresh clean water, thereby insuring thecarrying oif of all dirt and other matter Washed from the fruit.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a machine of thischaracter which is simple in construction, highly eificient in operationnot likely to get out of order, and cheap to operate.

\Vith the foregoing and other objects in view my invention consists incertain constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts, thepreferred form of which will be first described in connection with theaccompanying drawings and then the invention more articularly pointedout in the appended c aims.

Referring to the drawings wherein the same part is designated by thesame reference numeral wherever it occurs, Figure 1. is a side elevationof a machine embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of theconstruction shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an end elevation; Fig. 4 is atransverse section showing the brush operating mechanism; Fig. 5 is asection taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 is a section taken online 6-6 of Fig. 4.

The numerals 7 and 8 designate base bars forming a support for themachine and carrying lateral members 9 and 10, forming a rectangularframework. Supported by this framework are a plurality of uprights 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16 upon the base bar 7, and corresponding uprights uponthe base bar 8, only two of such uprights (17, 18) being shown in thedrawings. Carried by the uprights on both sides of the machine arelongitudinal members 19, 20 having end beams 21 and 22 forming a similarrectangular framework to the one formed by the base bars 7 and 8 and thecross beams 9, 10. The uprights 12, 13 and 15 and the correspondinglyopposite uprights carry extensions 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28respectively, which are bolted thereto. The opposite extensions areconnected by means of lateral bars 29 extending across the top of themachine.

Mounted upon the end beams 20 and 21 are bearing blocks 30 and 31 havingjournaled therein shafts 32 and 33 carrying suitable rotatable fruitwashing brushes 34 and 35 extending the entire length of the upperrectangular framework. The shafts 32 and 33 extend out a short distancefrom the bearings 30 and 31 for a purpose hereinafter explained.

The mechanism for operating the conveyer for feeding the fruit to thewasher brushes is the same at both ends of the machine, so that thefollowing description of the said mechanism located at the receiving endof the device will serve for both: Loosely journaled upon the extendingportions of the brush shafts 32 and 33 are downwardly extending members36 and 37 pivotally secured at 38 and 39 to a connecting bar 40. Themembers 36 and 37 carry angularly disposed extensions 41 and 42respectively. Connecting the extensions 41-and 41 on both ends of themachine is a longitudinal angle iron rod 43 bolted to the extension bymeans of bolts 44. Similarly the extensions 42 and 42 are connected by arod 4 secured at 46. to the rod 43 are a plurality of blocks 47 havingupper inclined faces 48 thereon. The rod is similarly provided withblocks 47. At the rear of the blocks 48 and extending the entire lengthof the series of blocks is a plate 49 to give rigidity to the apparatusand to prevent the fruit placed upon the blocks from falling off on theoutside of the carrier.

Carried by the cross beam 20 is a stub shaft 50 having journaled thereona member 51 having Y arms 52 and 53 extending therefrom. The member 51has a further vertical extension. 54 pivotally connected to the bar 40by a pin 55 and extending below said bar.

The arms 52 on each end of the machine Secured are connected by means ofan angle iron bar 56 secured to the arms by bolts 57. These angle ironmembers 56 carry blocks 58 smaller than the blocks 47, and extendupwardly between the blocks 47 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, thus forming aseries of alter nate large and small, long and short blocks. The blocks58 are formed with angled faces 59 inclined in the same direction as thefaces 49 of the block 48. The blocks 47 are longer than the blocks 58and the inner edges of both series of blocks are placed in the sameplane nearly touching the brushes 34 and 35.

Between the brushes 34 and 35 is a division plate 60 having curved sides61 and 62 curving downwardly toward the brushes.

Supported by the members 28 are perforated pipes 63 and 64 carryingsuitable control valves 65, 66, 67, 68, and connected to a manifold 69in communication with an outside source of water supply. The purpose ofthese pipes is to spray water downwardly upon the brushes 34 and 35 andthe fruit on the conveyers.

At the receiving end of the machine is a trough 7O downwardly inclinedand divided by a division plate 71 which guides the fruit to both sidesof the machine. After the fruit has passed through the machine it isdeposited upon a shelf or tray 72.

The power is applied to the fruit feeding mechanism in the followingmanner: The member 55 extends downwardly below the bar 40 and isprovided with a pivot pin 73 adapted to engage a crank arm 74 which isin turn pivotally engaged by a pin 7 5 carried by an eccentric 76 of ashaft 77 suitably journaled in bearings 78, 79 and 80 and connecting themembers 54 upon both ends of the machine. The shaft 77 is driven bymeans of suitable gears by a shaft 81 carrying a pulley wheel 82 drivenby a belt 83 carried by a pulley wheel 84 upon a shaft 85, which isdriven in any suitable manner and which carries pulley wheels 86 and 87having drive belts 88 and 89 which rotate the brushes 34 and 35 in adirection toward the outside of the machine.

The operation of the device is as follows: The fruit to be'washed isplaced on the inclincd trough where it rolls by gravity until in contactwith the brushes 34 and 35 which are rapidly rotating in a directionvwhich tends to throw the fruit toward the outside of the machine wherethe fruit falls upon the blocks 47 where it is fed along the machine bythe conveyers in the following manner: The rotation of the shaft 77causes a rapid reciprocation of the crank arm 74 which in turnoscillates the vertical member 54 which rocks upon its pivot 50, thuscausing an alternate raising and lowering of the arms 52 and 53 whichcarry the rods 56, 56 having thereon the blocks 58 which are thusalternately raised and lowered by the oscillation of the member 54. Themem bers 36 and 37 which are pivotally connected to the bar 40 are alsooscillated in unison and by the member 54 by means of the pin 55. Themembers 36 and 37 oscillate upon their pivots 32 and 33 and therebycause an alternate raising and lowering of the blocks 47 carried by thebars 43 and 45. Due to the location of the pivots 32 and 33 at a pointabove the pivot 50 of the member 54, and also due to the difference inlength of the arms 36 and 37 driven by the bar 40 the member 54oscillates through a larger arc than the arms 36 and 37, which actioncauses the smaller blocks 58 to be oscillated higher and lower than thelarger blocks 48, in the same period of time. The fruit falls upon theblocks at the feed end of the machine when pushed outwardly by thebrushes 34 and 35 and lodges upon the inclined faces 48 of the largerblocks 47. The faces of the blocks 47 and 58 are inclined toward thedischarge end of the apparatus. Upon an upward stroke of the blocks 58the fruit is lifted off the blocks 47 and carried by the blocks 58, asshown in Fig. 5. Theblocks 47 now reciprocate and the blocks 58 completea descending stroke, and as these blocks pass by each other on the upstroke the incline causes the fruit to roll on to a succeeding block andso on. This rolling from one block to the other causes the fruit topresent different surfaces to the rotary brushes which thus effectuallyscrub it all over.

The entire apparatus is covered by a sheet metal hood, and has a drippan below the washer brushes to carry off the waste water.

Considerable variation of the details of this invention may be resortedto without departing from the spirit thereof, and it is not my intentionto confine myself to thee specific form shown herein, but to construethe appended claims as broadly as permissible in view of the prior art.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a fruit washer, the combination with a supporting framework, of abrush mounted thereon, means for holding the fruit to be cleaned, andmeansfor positively causing a step-by-step feed of the fruit withrespect to said brush.

2. In a fruit washing machine, the combination with a brush, of a feedtrough associated therewith, fruit holding means adjacent the peripheryof said brush, and

.means for conveying the fruit along said holding means.

3. In a fruit washing machine, the combination with a relatively longrotary brush, of an inclined feed trough communicating therewith nearone end, fruit holding means adjacent the periphery of said brush, meansfor positively conveying the fruit along said holding means, and meansfor receiving the fruit from said conveyer.

a. In a fruit washing machine, the combination with a rotary brush, oftransversely inclined fruit holding means adjacent the periphery of saidbrush, vertically movable means for conveying the fruit along saidholding means, means for receiving thefruit from said conveying means,and means for preventing the fruit from being forced laterally off ofsaid conveying and holding means.

5. In a fruit washing machine the combination with a plurality ofbrushes, said brushes being parallel and spaced apart, of a commondelivery means thereto, vertically movable fruit conveying meansadjacent the periphery of each of said brushes, and means intermediatesaid brushes adapted to prevent fruit froni' falling therebetween.

6. In a fruit washing machine the combination with a plurality ofbrushes, said brushes being parallel and spaced apart, of fruitconveylng means adjacent the periphery of said brushes, meansintermediate said brushes adapted to prevent fruit from falling betweensaid brushes, said means comprising an upright between said brushes, ahood on said upright, said hood having curved faces adapted to feed saidfruit back upon said brushes.

7. In a fruit washing machine the combination with a plurality ofbrushes, said brushes being parallel and spaced apart, of fruitconveying means adjacent the periphery of said brushes, meansintermediate said brushes adapted to prevent fruit from falling betweensaid brushes, said means comprising an upright between said brushes, ahood on said upright, said hood having curved faces adapted to feed saidfruit back upon said brushes, and means for supplying water to saidbrushes therebyto scrub the fruit and clean the same.

8. In a fruit washer, the combination with a supporting framework, of abrush mounted thereon, means forming with said brush a trough forholding the fruit to be cleaned, and means for positively causing astep-by-step feed of the fruit in said trough with respect to saidbrush.

9. In a fruit washer the combination with a rotary brush, of means forfeeding fruit past said brush in a step-by-step movement, said meanscomprising a plurality of comparatively long blocks spaced apart, andhaving inclined faces thereon, a plurality of shorter blocks within thespaces formed between said long blocks, and having similarly inclinedfaces thereon, and means for operating said blocks to cause said fruitto feed along the same.

10. In a fruit washer the combination with a rotary brush, of means forfeeding fruit past said brush in a step-by-step movement, said meanscomprising a plurality of blocks spaced apart, and having inclined facesthereon, means connected with alternate blocks for operating said blocksto cause said fruit to feed along the same.

11. In a fruit washer the combination,

with a rotary brush, of means for feeding fruit past said brush, in astep-by-step movement, said means comprising. a plurality of blocksspaced apart, and having inclined faces thereon, means connected withalternate blocks for operating said blocks to cause said fruit to eedalong the same, said means comprising a plate to which said blocks arefastened, and means for alternately raising and lowering said blocks.

12. In a fruit washing machine the combination with a rotary brush, of aconveyer for feeding fruit relatively to' said rotary brush, saidconveyer comprising a series of blocks spaced apart, a second series ofblocks alternating therewitlnseparate means connecting said series,means for causing an alternate raising and lowering of the first seriesof blocks, comprising a pair of pivoted arms, extensions on said armsand fastened to said connecting means, a connecting link between saidarms, and means for oscillating said link to rock said arms upon theirpivots.

13. In a fruit washing machine the combination with a plurality ofrotary brushes, of conveyers for feeding fruit,each conveyer comprisinga series of longer blocks spaced apart upon a base plate, a series ofrelatively shorter blocks upon a second base plate and projectingupwardly into the spaces between said longer blocks, and means forcausing an alternate raising and lowering of said shorter blocks,comprising a, pivoted member, a pair of extensions upon said member,each extension carrying the base plate of the series of shorter blocks,means for oscillating said pivoted member about its pivot, thereby tocause a relative lowering and raising of said arms and a correspondinglowering and raising of said shorter blocks.

14. In a fruit washer the combination with a rotary brush, of a conveyerfor said brush comprising a, plurality of longer blocks, a plurality ofshorter blocks, said blocks being so arranged as to present an alternateseries of long and short blocks, means for vertically reciprocating saidseries of shorter blocks, means for vertically reciprocating said seriesof longer blocks, said longer block reciprocating means being soconnected with said shorter block reciprocating means as to cause adifference in the rate of reciprocations of the series of blocks,whereby said series will reciprocate a greater speed than said longerseries.

15. In a fruit washing machine the combination with a brush, of meansfor feeding fruit relativ to said brush, said means comprising a seriesof blocks having faces inclined toward the discharge end of the machine,said blocks being spaced apart, a second series of blocks projectingupwardly in said spa es and similarly inclined, means for verticallyreciprocating said first series of lllbffkr, means for verticallyreciprocating said second series of blocks whereby fruit retained by oneseries of blocks will be raised by the other series of blocks upon theupward strok thereof, and said fruit will be caused to travel toward thedischarge end of said machine upon the downward stroke by means of saidinclined face.

16. In a fruit washing machine the combination-With a brush, of meansfor feeding fruit relative to said brush, comprising a series of blockshaving faces inclined toward th discharge end of the machine, saidblocks being spaced apart, a second series of blocks projecting upwardlyin said spaces and similarly inclined, means for verticallyreciprocating said series whereby fruit retained by the blocks of oneseries will be raised by the blocks of the other series upon the upwardstroke thereof, and said 17. In a fruit washing machine, in combination,a cleaning device and means for feedin the fruit relatively theretocomprising alternately reciprocating supports having their uppersurfaces inclined toward the discharge end.

In testimony whereof I alfix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWVARD N. MAULL. Witnesses II. I1. GAY, A. J. GAY.

